Veranda Magazine:: French Chic Wedding

The fabulous wedding of New York interior designer and stylist Kelly d'Halluin was featured in Veranda Magazine and set in the Parisian countryside. Inspired by an 18th century garden party, the green and white reception included cocktails on the terrace and one long candlelit table in the garden for 300 guests. So many personal details have been included and I am drooling over the bouquet of flowers, butterflies, and feathers.

I love the cloche table card that can do double duty as a centerpiece. This would be a great diy for an alternative to a floral centerpiece and a fabulous gift for special friends and family to remember your wedding by. Here are some links to help you create your own french chic table:

Nests

Birds
Cloche
Birch Tubes

Check out more details in the Veranda Feature.

Images: Mallory Samson

Swanky Spotlight: b.a.s.h.ful Custom Event Kits

Gretchen of b.a.s.h.ful Custom Event Kits introduced me to her business and blog with these fabulous pictures of her Retro Toy Candy Station.  So bright and festive, I'm completely loving that orange elephant and fun retro toys.  I've found people are really nostalgic when it comes to candy and toys and what a combination.  Gretchen definitely has a talent for putting events together!  Also pictured are some great invitations she did for a Baptismal celebration.  Love the color choices and you can see more here.   What is b.a.s.h.ful Custom Event Kits? 

B.a.s.h.ful Custom Event Kits:

b.a.s.h. = birthdays . announcements . showers . holidays ful custom event kits to fit your entertaining needs!  Click here for more information on how you can make your next event unique, memorable, and easy-as-pie with a custom party kit!!

Images{b.a.s.h.ful Custom Event Kits} 

Resourceful Brides Giveaway: Win $1,000

Wedding Paper Divas  and Beau-coup have launched a fabulous new site called Resourceful Brides, a resource for the Recessionista Bride looking for great money-saving tips for her wedding.   In celebration, they are sponsoring a giveaway in which one lucky bride or groom will win $1000 to purchase invitations and favors for all their guests.    Visit the Resourceful Brides site to submit your best money-saving wedding tip to be entered in the contest.  The deadline is Monday, July 20 at midnight, PST and the winning idea will be posted online Friday, July 24th.  Good Luck 

Swanky Deal: Sur La Table Beverage Server

Ok, so I may have a strange beverage server addiction but I just can't pass this one up!  The Sur La Table Beverage Jar, Stand, and Sign are on SALE.  Definitely can't pass up the sign on sale for $4.96.  Whip up some great cocktail recipes for your new drink jar:

Classic Hurricane

Shortcut Sangria

Blue Lagoon

Big Mac Daddy

Raspberry Mojito

Cheers!!

Image(Sur La Table)

Butterfly Tea Party Invitation

Remember the Butterfly Tea Party inspiration board? Well here are the invitations for the actual party in July. The hostess gave each guest a gorgeous mandarin dress to wear to the tea party tied to the the fan invitation I designed. This party is for a 5 year old but I'm thinking I would love to attend!! I can't wait to get all the details finished and will share pictures for the event in July.

Fathers Day Celebration

Time to celebrate with good food, family, and daddy decor! Wrap your gifts with bow ties and place them in the center of the table to double duty as your centerpiece. If your husband is a huge golfer like mine, I'm sure he would appreciate those super cute golf cupcakes. Replace the bow tie centerpiece with cylinders full of golf tees and balls and add flowers or leave as is. Enjoy your celebrations!!

Fathers Day Menu:

Beer Margarita
Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Parmesan, Garlic, and Cajun Fries
Crab Salad Cups
Cracker Jack Caramel Sundaes
Golf Cupcakes

Images: {Sunset Magazine}{Martha Stewart} {Rachel Ray}

I Dig Chalkboard China

My friend Amanda, of LaDi Events, introduced me to Chalkboard China, and I'm completely loving it! I guess I'm on a Chalkboard kick lately, but it is so darn cute and practical!! I love how you can customize it for a special occasion or celebration. I think my favorite piece is the Truffle Board. It would be perfect for cupcakes, chocolates, or cheeses. Check out the full collection and retailers at the Chalkboard China Site. Great find, Amanda!!

TNT Wedding Day Starts Tonight!

Tonight is the premiere of TNT's new series, Wedding Day. InStyle Weddings had a great sneak peek of the event decor shared by Diann Valentine, event planner and co-host of the show. I'm sure my husband will be excited to see another wedding show on season pass..... Happy Watching!!

Images(InstyleWeddings)(TNT)

A Summer Social in Atlanta

StudioWed Atlanta and Weddings Unveiled invites you a Summer Social to celebrate the release of the Weddings Unveiled Summer 2009 issue.  Eat, drink and meet StudioWed vendors while you enjoy music and the chance to win fabulous prizes.  Click HERE to register for this wonderful event happening at StudioWed Atlanta on June 26th at 6pm.  

Images of Studio Wed Atlanta by Blue World Studios and Ross Oscar Knight

Swanky Spotlight: Truly Scrumptious

Anyone's mouth watering? Just hand me a fork and I'll dig into that Red Velvet Cake! Truly Scrumptious is a boutique baking company located in the Portland/Southwest Washington area. Owner and "Top Baker", Kimberly Koch, creates CHIC, IMPECCABLE, AWWW...inducing, beyond YUMMY treats. Every dessert I have ordered from her for events has been perfect and always receives rave reviews. My mom always says hot food should be HOT, and cold food should be COLD. Well Kimberly translates that in the SWEET/TART category. Each item has the perfect amount of sweetness! Check out her Menu for an extensive selection of Cakes and Cupcakes, Tarts and Cookies, and even Morning Treats and Cupcake Bars. If you are in the area, Truly Scrumptious is having an Open House this Saturday, June 13th at Around the Table in Camas, WA. Lots of Yummy Treats! Click HERE for more information.

Pineapple Drop Martini

This is definitely going on the my signature drink chalkboard this summer! Yummy.

Pineapple Drop

Yield

Makes 6 cocktails

Ingredients

• 1 1/2  cups  pineapple juice
• 1 1/2  cups  vodka
• 3  tablespoons  fresh lime juice
• Couple of lime wedges
• About 1 cup sugar
• Fresh pineapple, cut into 3/4-in. chunks

Preparation

1. In a pitcher, mix pineapple juice, vodka, and lime juice, then chill until cold.

2. Rub lime wedges around rims of 6 martini glasses. Pour sugar onto a large plate. Dip rims of glasses in sugar. Divide vodka mixture among glasses. Push a few pineapple chunks onto each skewer and set one in each glass.

Recipe and Image{Sunset Magazine + ThayerAllysonGowdy}

Vintage Ribbon Vinyl Chalkboard Love

My laptop bit the dust last week while I was out of town, so I finally made it to the Apple Store today to pick up my new one.  Lots of catch up and reinstalling, what a nightmare. 

I've been eyeing this Vinyl Chalkboard from Etsy Store SpellitOutdesigns.  So stinkin' cute!

InStyle Wedding - New Inspiration

New inspiration at InStyle Weddings and I'm loving all the gorgeous details. Can I have that canopy set up in my backyard?

Images(nicolecaldwell}{instyleweddings}{aarondelesie}{aprilreedcakes}{cakeworkcake}{cakegirls}
{cakeline}{cakestoremember}{lovinsullivancakes}

Swanky Deal: Conran Shop

Great deals at the Conran Shop for outdoor party decor! Check them out:

Sphere Oil Lamp Centerpiece - Reg. 80, Sale 26.70
Decorative Green Wire Birdcage - Reg 95, Sale 57
Decorative Orange Wire Birdcage - Reg 150, Sale 90
Black Lantern - Reg 90, Sale 45
Super Big White Lantern - Reg 250, Sale 125
Missoni Margherita Plate - Reg 135 -275, Sale 81 -165

Images: Conran Shop

Cute Stands for your Candy Station

Back in April, I did a candy table for a 5th birthday party. With a room full of wild and crazy boys, I decided I needed something indestructible yet still looked good. I found these great Koziol Babell cake stands made of polypropylene that could be used for a number of things(Instyle featured one as a jewelry holder). You can find them at The Conran Shop in white or in a multitude of colors at this great ebay store. They ship from Israel so it does take awhile and I had to pick mine up at the post office.(The box looked like it had been to heck in back, but the stands were in perfect condition.(note: I was looking for something indestructible!) I added some cute folded muffin cups from Fancy Flours and added candy to them.(Love the bright Paisley Cup) It was easy for kids to grab the cups and looked pretty darn cute too!

Butterfly Tea Party

I'm working on a little girls tea party for July with a Butterfly theme in a Fuchsia, Red, and Black color palette. I'll post the super cute invitations when they are finished! Here's the inspiration boards in the meantime:

Red/Pink/Black Color Palette:
Butterfly Centerpiece photo by Jasmine Photography
Red + Pink Lantern Party: Martha Stewart
Butterfly Mandarin Dress
Lantern Floral Centerpiece: Martha Stewart
Pink Candy + Dessert Table: The Martha Blog

Butterfly Board(Middle) Martha Stewart

Rococo Teapot by Rosanna Inc
Sweet Hibiscus Tea from Martha Stewart(see recipe below)
Black Paddle Fans
Butterfly Plates
Butterfly Edible Wafer Paper
Cupcake Wrapper Butterfly
Feather Butterflies

Sweet Hibiscus Tea Recipe from Martha Stewart

Ingredients

Makes about 2 quarts

• 2 decaffeinated hibiscus tea bags
• 2 decaffeinated lemon tea bags
• 2 cups apple juice

Directions

1. Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a medium pan. Remove from heat. Add tea bags. Let steep 3 to 5 minutes. Remove bags. Stir in juice. Let cool slightly before serving.

Images: {Martha Stewart} {China Sprout} {Fancy Flours} {FloralTrims}{Luna Bazaar}{Rosanna Inc}{CB2}